Herbs and Supplements for Heart Disease

Written by Dale Kiefer
| Published on April 10, 2012Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD
on April 10, 2012

The latest research shows that certain herbs and supplements can help lower your risk for heart disease, and treat heart conditions if you've already been diagnosed. These include coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, pomegranate extract, and more.

Cardiovascular disease—better known as heart disease, or
coronary artery disease (CAD)—is the number one killer in America.

Luckily, there is is ample evidence that heart disease can
be prevented, or even reversed. Diet and lifestyle play a huge role in this
strategy, and the dietary component of this approach includes several herbs and
supplements that may benefit in the fight against atherosclerosis, the
underlying cause of most heart disease.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory condition that affects
the lining of the blood vessels. Ultimately it may lead to blockages in
arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle itself, and that can cause heart
attack and even death. But, while atherosclerosis is extremely common in the
developed world, it is virtually unknown among certain groups of people. And
those people have certain behaviors in common. When you examine the lives of
these people, two factors emerge: diet and lifestyle are hugely important. Here
are some nutritional supplements that may help decrease your risk of developing
heart disease.

Coenzyme Q10

CoenzymeQ10, or CoQ10, (sometimes called ubiquinone) is an
important chemical that plays a crucial role in cells’ ability to extract
energy from food. Although it’s produced naturally, and is found throughout the
body, levels of this widespread cofactor tend to decline with age. Ample
evidence shows that CoQ10 is depleted by statin drugs, which are widely
prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. As a result, the people who need CoQ10
the most—people at risk for heart disease due to high cholesterol levels—are
also at increased risk of suffering from dangerously low levels of this crucial
chemical.

Because the heart is the hardest-working muscle of all, it’s
essential that the heart has access to a constant supply of CoQ10 so it can
readily generate the energy required to do its vital work. One of the
potentially serious side effects of statin therapy, a muscle-wasting condition
called rhabdomyolysis, may be directly lined to statin-induced depletion of
CoQ10. Therefore, anyone taking a statin drug should also consider
supplementing with CoQ10.

Studies have shown that supplementation with CoQ10
independently lowers blood pressure, while simultaneously helping the heart to
function, especially among people suffering from cardiovascular disease,
through its actions as an energy cofactor, and by virtue of its powerful
antioxidant activity. CoQ10 is safe and well-tolerated. Although it is not
readily absorbed when taken by mouth, a more “bioavailable” form, ubiquinol,
may offer significantly improved absorption into the bloodstream.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a no-brainer when it comes to heart
disease. Most heart disease is linked to atherosclerosis, an inflammatory
condition that affects the lining of blood vessels. Omega-3 fatty acids are
essential nutrients that help reduce inflammation. They also drive down levels
of fatty blood components called triglycerides. High triglyceride levels are
linked to atherosclerosis and diabetes, among other undesirable conditions.

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

For centuries, people around the world have consumed green
tea for its purported health benefits. In recent years, scientists have
intensively studied one of its chief components, the potent antioxidant
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), for its apparent ability to prevent cancer.
More recently, they’ve turned their attention to green tea’s ability to protect
the heart. Most studies have shown significant benefits with the consumption of
5-6 cups of green tea per day. Green tea extract is also available as a
supplement in capsule form.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Like green tea, pomegranate juice has been consumed for
centuries, with the belief that the ruby-red fruit promoted health. Modern
scientists have shown that this belief is well justified. Powerful antioxidant
chemicals in pomegranate fruit and juice may help reverse atherosclerosis and
lower blood pressure.

Magnesium and Potassium

The link between sodium (from table salt) and high blood
pressure receives plenty of attention in the media. Repeatedly, we’ve been
told: Salt is bad! But the link
between consumption of the minerals magnesium and potassium and blood pressure
is seldom mentioned.

While table salt may raise blood pressure in some people,
potassium and magnesium tend to lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that
while limiting salt is beneficial, it may be even more helpful to decrease salt
intake while also increasing your intake of magnesium and potassium. Five
hundred milligrams to one gram of magnesium per day has been linked to
significant blood pressure reductions. Recent research suggests that 4.7 g of
potassium per day is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of
“cardiovascular events.”

To ensure quality, freshness, and ultimately, potency in your herbal remedies, why not grow your own? Even beginner gardeners can begin to concoct simple home remedies like teas and salves with the following list of Bredesen’s top nine easy-to-gro...

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